Delicious Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup in Just 1 Hour

Okay, let’s talk soup! There’s nothing I love more than a big bowl of something warm and comforting, especially after a crazy busy week. And let me tell you, weeknights at my house? They’re *always* crazy. I’m juggling kids, work, maybe a rogue soccer practice or two… the list goes on!

That’s where this Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup comes in to save the day. Seriously, this recipe is a lifesaver. It’s the kind of meal you can throw together in the morning, forget about all day, and then come home to a house that smells absolutely amazing. And the best part? It’s totally hands-off.

I’ve been messing around with slow cooker recipes for years, trying to find those perfect, family-friendly meals that are both easy and delicious. And trust me, this Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup? It’s a winner. It’s hearty, flavorful, and the ultimate in comfort food. You’re gonna love it!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Quick and Easy Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Seriously, the prep for this is a breeze. You’re basically just browning some sausage and chopping up veggies. Throw it all in the slow cooker, and boom – you’re done! Minimal effort, maximum flavor. What’s not to love?

Flavorful and Hearty Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

This isn’t some wimpy, watery soup. We’re talking rich, savory sausage, tender tortellini, and a whole lotta veggies simmered in a delicious broth. It’s the kind of soup that sticks to your ribs and warms you from the inside out. Yum!

Perfect for Busy Weeknights: Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Okay, let’s be real – weeknights are hectic! That’s why this slow cooker soup is a game-changer. Just dump everything in before you head out the door, and dinner’s waiting for you when you get home. No stress, no fuss, just pure deliciousness.

Family-Friendly Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Even the pickiest eaters in my house gobble this up! The sausage and tortellini are always a hit, and the veggies are cooked so perfectly that even my veggie-averse kiddo doesn’t complain. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Key Ingredients in Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You know how I am – I’m all about using the good stuff. It really makes a difference in the final flavor, trust me!

Sausage

We’re gonna use 1 pound of hot Italian link sausage. And hey, don’t forget to take the casings off! Nobody wants to bite into a tough casing in their soup. The hot Italian sausage gives this soup a really nice kick, a little bit of spice that I just love. It’s what makes it, in my opinion!

Tortellini

You’ll need 2 (9 ounce) packages of refrigerated cheese tortellini. Cheese tortellini is my go-to for this soup – it just works so well with all the other flavors. You *could* use a different kind of filling if you really want to, but honestly, I think cheese is the way to go here.

Vegetables

Veggies, veggies, veggies! We’re talking 2 cups chopped onion, 2 cups chopped celery, 2 cups thinly sliced carrots, 3 tablespoons minced garlic, and 2 cups chopped kale leaves (stems removed, please!). Fresh veggies are key here, folks. They add so much flavor and texture to the soup. Don’t skimp!

Broth and Tomatoes

You’ll need 4 cups of chicken broth or stock and 3 (14 ounce) cans of whole tomatoes, with the juice. The chicken broth is the base of our soup, and the tomatoes add a lovely acidity and sweetness. Make sure you break up those tomatoes a bit when you add them to the slow cooker. I just use my hands – gets the job done!

How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Sausage and Vegetables for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Alright, first things first, let’s get that sausage browned! Grab a skillet and cook that sausage up until it’s nice and brown. Make sure you break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Now, this is important: drain off any excess grease! We don’t want a greasy soup, yuck!

Next, add your chopped onion and celery to the same skillet (don’t even bother washing it!). Cook them until they’re softened, usually about 5-7 minutes. Then, toss in your minced garlic and cook for just a minute or so, until it’s fragrant. Careful, garlic burns easily!

Combining Ingredients in the Slow Cooker for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Now comes the easy part! Dump that cooked sausage and your sautéed veggies into your slow cooker. Add your whole tomatoes (don’t forget to break them up a bit!), and pour in your chicken stock. Give it all a good stir to combine everything.

Cover your slow cooker and cook on Low for 7-8 hours or on High for 3-4 hours. Honestly, I usually go for the Low setting – I think it gives the flavors more time to meld together. But hey, if you’re in a hurry, High works just fine too!

Adding Tortellini and Kale to Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

This is key: don’t add the tortellini and kale at the beginning! They’ll get mushy and gross. Instead, about 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, turn your slow cooker to High (if it wasn’t already), and add your tortellini and chopped kale.

Cover and cook until the tortellini is tender, usually around 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, though – you don’t want to overcook the tortellini! Nobody likes mushy tortellini, trust me on this one!

Serving Your Delicious Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Okay, the moment we’ve all been waiting for – it’s time to eat! Ladle that delicious soup into bowls and garnish with some grated Parmesan cheese. And that’s it! Serve it up warm and enjoy! Seriously, this soup is so good, you’re gonna want to make it again and again!

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Seasoning Your Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Okay, so taste as you go! Seriously, seasoning is everything. Add salt and pepper to your liking, of course. But here’s a little secret: I like to add a tablespoon of Italian seasoning about halfway through the cooking time. It just gives it that extra little *oomph*, you know?

Choosing Your Sausage for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Alright, so I’m a hot Italian sausage kinda gal, but hey, if you’re not into the spice, no worries! You can totally use mild Italian sausage instead. It’ll still be super flavorful, just without the kick. It’s all about what you like!

Kale Alternatives for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Not a kale fan? No problem! You can totally swap it out for spinach. Just throw it in with the tortellini during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Spinach wilts down super fast, so you don’t need to cook it for long. Easy peasy!

Variations for Your Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Spicy Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Okay, so you want to kick things up a notch? I hear ya! Just add a pinch (or a big pinch, if you’re like me!) of red pepper flakes to the slow cooker along with everything else. Trust me, it adds a seriously good zing!

Creamy Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Want a super decadent, creamy soup? Stir in about a cup of heavy cream or half-and-half right before serving. Ooh la la! It makes it so rich and dreamy. My favorite part is how it coats the tortellini. Mmm!

Vegetarian Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup

Alright, so you’re not a meat-eater? No worries! Just skip the sausage altogether and load up on extra veggies! Mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers – the more the merrier! You can even add a can of cannellini beans for extra protein. So good!

Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Bread

Oh, you *gotta* have bread with this soup! I’m talking crusty bread, the kind that’s perfect for dipping into that delicious broth. Seriously, don’t skip the bread – it’s a must!

Salad

If you wanna be all fancy and balanced, pair this soup with a simple side salad. A little bit of greens never hurt anyone, right? Plus, it adds a nice little contrast to the richness of the soup.

Storing & Reheating Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Storage

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop ’em in an airtight container and stash ’em in the fridge. They’ll be good for up to 3 days. Though, honestly, at my house, they never last that long!

Reheating

When you’re ready for round two, you can reheat this soup on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stovetop is my go-to – I think it heats more evenly. But hey, if you’re in a rush, the microwave works just fine. Just be careful not to overcook it!

Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Okay, so let’s talk nutrition! Now, I gotta be honest with you – I’m not a nutritionist or anything. But I know some of you are curious about the calories and stuff in this Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup. So, here’s the deal: the nutritional information can vary *a lot* depending on the brands you use, the exact amount of veggies you add, and all that jazz.

So, while I can’t give you precise numbers, just keep in mind that this is a hearty soup, so it’s gonna have some calories. But hey, it’s also packed with veggies and protein, so it’s not all bad, right? And honestly, sometimes you just gotta enjoy a delicious bowl of soup without worrying too much about the numbers. You know what I mean?

Questions About Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup

Can I use frozen tortellini in Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup?

Yep, you sure can! Frozen tortellini works just fine in this Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup. But here’s the thing: you don’t want to add it at the same time as the refrigerated stuff. Instead, toss it in during the last hour of cooking. That way, it’ll be perfectly tender without getting all mushy. Nobody wants mushy tortellini!

Can I make Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! This soup is actually a great make-ahead meal. You can totally prepare everything the day before – cook the sausage, chop the veggies, throw it all in the slow cooker, and then stash it in the fridge overnight. But *don’t* add the tortellini yet! Wait until you’re ready to heat it up, then add the tortellini and cook until tender. So easy!

Can I freeze Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup?

Okay, so here’s the deal: I don’t really recommend freezing this soup. The tortellini just doesn’t hold up that well in the freezer – it can get kinda weird and mushy when you thaw it out. If you really *need* to freeze it, you *can*, but just be aware that the texture of the tortellini might not be quite as good. Honestly, it’s best to just make a smaller batch if you’re worried about having too much leftover.

Enjoy Your Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup!

Alright, folks, that’s it! I really hope you give this Slow Cooker Sausage & Tortellini Soup a try. It’s seriously one of my favorite easy weeknight meals, and I think you’re gonna love it too!

And hey, if you do make it, be sure to let me know what you think! Leave a comment below or give it a rating. I always love hearing from you guys! Happy cooking!

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